In Memoriam : Philip Ahlquist

Visitation Information:Visitation will be on Tuesday, Dec. 27, from 1-2 PM, followed by a 2 PM memorial celebration of Phil’s life at the Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, located on the corners of Rts. 202 and 4A (13 Portland Rd) in Buxton (Bar Mills). The Rev. Edward Ahlquist will officiate. www.DCPate.com

Obituary:GRAY-Philip Charles Ahlquist,age 64, of Gray, died unexpectedly in his sleep Monday, December 19, 2011. He was born September 14, 1947, to Earle N. and Winonah (Bowley) Ahlquist. He grew up in Scarborough where he graduated Scarborough H S, 1966. He received his Associates in Business from Century College in Florida. He was a U S Army combat veteran of Vietnam War, serving from 1967 to 1969.

A Master Carpenter, Phil built spectacular homes for celebrities while living in Florida for many years. After returning to Maine, he continued to do smaller construction jobs and worked on renewable energy projects as his deteriorating health allowed.

Phil married Gloria Riley, and later, Adrienne Amari. He was predeceased by his mother in 1965 and daughter, Alicia Ahlquist, in 1989.

Phil is survived by his father Earle and stepmother Betty Ahlquist of Scarborough; sister, Earlene (“Kitty”) Chadbourne and husband Ted of Cumberland, half-brother Oren of Scarborough and half-sister Lorraine Ahlquist of San Diego, CA.; two children: Valerie Cotnoir and husband Tom of Waterville and Neil Amari and wife Kasia of Dallas, TX; and four grandchildren: Alyssa and Anthony Amari of Freeport and Camden and Jaxson Cotnoir of Waterville, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and special friends; particularly, Blair Fridgen, Nick Rolland, William Paulsen, and Raymond Wallace among many others. Phil was a Registered Maine Guide and loved the outdoors and animals. He will be greatly missed by his pet wolf-dog “Bear.”

Though he carried scars from the Vietnam War that caused him many inner battles, he used his wry sense of humor to remain upbeat. In many ways Phil didn’t come to terms with many of his Vietnam demons until his nephew, Adam Cote, was deployed to Iraq. That activated Phil to work to support “Adopt an Iraqi Village” projects and later actively support his nephew, Adam, in his bid for political office as a voice for veterans. Phil wanted to give returning vets the support he had not received when returning from Vietnam.

A hole is left where he once was. He will be deeply missed by those with whom he was close; but we know he is at peace with God and no longer in pain.